BBC Radio 4's Steve Hewlett has sadly passed away at the age of 58 following his cancer battle.

Earlier this month, the broadcaster revealed to listeners the devastating news that his treatment for cancer of the oesophagus could no longer continue.

BBC News has confirmed he died this morning (February 20) while he was listening to Bob Dylan with his family at the Royal Marsden Hospital in west London. Hewlett was diagnosed with cancer last March.

"Over the last year, we have been overwhelmed by the support of friends, colleagues and Radio 4 listeners. The messages helped Steve enormously, especially over the last few months," his family said in a statement, also thanking staff at the hospital.

Tributes have been paid to the much-loved broadcaster on Twitter, especially praising his brave final interviews with Eddie Mair.

Thanks so much, @eddiemair, for the Steve Hewlett interviews. A consummate journalist reporting his own disappearance from the world.

"Steve was a trusted voice that embodied everything positive in public service journalism. He was hugely popular not just with viewers and listeners, but with BBC staff," said BBC director general Tony Hall.

"He was rational and informed, hard-nosed and witty, never taking himself too seriously but unpicking the stories he covered with great seriousness," added Radio 4 controller Gwyneth Williams.

"We will certainly miss his weekly presence on Radio 4, and I will miss him personally as a longstanding colleague from the days when we worked together in news. We send our deepest sympathy to his family."

Hewlett presented The Media Show from 2008 and also wrote for The Guardian. The father-of-three married his partner Rachel shortly after being told he had weeks to live.